The evolution of the school uniform and school rules

It is a fact that crime among the young is increasing rapidly. Recently, I was trying to find ways in which crime could be prevented rather than cured (well, rather than try to cure it). The answer was obvious. We have to tackle them at a very early age. You cannot straighten a tree that is already bent. Days after my “remarkable thought” I began taking a closer look at our youth. It was then I realised that the task would not be as easy as it looked.

In my own neighbourhood I noticed that (most, please note that I said most and not all) youths have absolutely no respect for themselves, for their peers or for their elders. Whatever became of the rule my grandfather instilled in me...whatever happened to “respect your elders?” For starters, students from a secondary school in Tabaquite would walk on the road as if the road was their private pathway. They obviously believe that they are invincible and no vehicle would dare pass close to them because the driver would be subjected to some serious looks not to mention curse words. Whatever happened to walking in “Indian file” or “single file?”

Apparently when they enter secondary school they seem to forget about all the rules, which in the first place, was put there for their safety. They are supposed to be setting an example for those in primary school right? Wrong! The students at the primary school level are setting the example for those in secondary school, believe it or not they still walk in “Indian file.” That was the way we used to do it, taking care of our own safety and causing no obstruction on the road. What shocked me most, however, is their vocabulary. My God! Curse words seem to be all these children know! After every two words, some obscenity follows.

It really amazed me to see what the once respectable school uniform has evolved into, not to mention school rules themselves. My observations have made me realise that parents, teachers and principals are mostly responsible for what is going on. They are the ones who have allowed and therefore encouraged the following apparent school prerequisites: School skirts must be above the knee, while pants for boys must be as large as possible. The fold of the pants must be no smaller than the size of his waist. Boys must wear pants in such a way that his boxers shows, failure to do so will result in immediate suspension.

Girls and boys seem to be competing for an award for “the most radical hairstyle for the term.” As a result you will only be able to become a student of this school by your hairstyle on the day of registration. Plaits or bobs are a definite no no and hair accessories must be multi-coloured. As for jewelry: a ring must be worn on what we like to call your “wedding ring finger.” You cannot survive with less than two rings per finger. Any less than two rings per finger will result in punishment. Punishment includes  attending a spiritual knowledge class. Sneakers must not be one colour and must be the most expensive brand. Any student with a sneaker costing less than $400 will not be allowed to enter the compound. Security, which was put in place to do nothing but sit and gape, is expected to carry out checks to see what the sneakers cost. Be sure to walk with your bills everyday.

Socks must be the same brand as the sneaker. Book bags of course, have to be extremely small and contain only one book and one pen. On  Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, marijuana, cigarettes, your cellphone, and if you must, casual clothing for after school gatherings are allowed. If you must conduct sales, please do so at the back of the school under the shed provided. When walking home from school or to the taxi stands, the youths may walk as they  well like since the roads belong to them as much as it belongs to drivers. No consideration for drivers is allowed. If a driver threatens them, use what has been learnt in obscene language class and if there is need for a weapon, one will be provided.

With respect to end of term tests, it is not required for anyone to do their very best since these tests don’t matter. You can always cheat during CXC and you have the option of rewriting a subject. You are encouraged to fight! Stand up for yourselves and fight! Do not let anyone say anything  that you don’t appreciate. This automatically gives you the permission to knock him/her down. Note to parents: We no longer encourage PTA meetings since we believe children need freedom. Now folks do you see why we have so many problems among the youth population? It is because of the great evolution of the school uniform and school rules.